Topic by lowendtheory

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  • lowendtheory
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  • Registered: 28-12-2012
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Topic: Is it just me or is Pianoteq's bass a little lacking?

When playing MIDI notes #35 and lower, it seems the lower overtones aren't as present as I expect them to be. At least, when playing at a real piano (e.g. Yamaha C5), you can really hear the "meat" of the lower octaves' lower partials. Not so with Pianoteq. I would have to edit each note to get the required 'presence' and impact to sound 'right'. Though, each piano and each set of ears is different, so please test and verify if, in fact, it is just me, or yet another result of the limitations of Pianoteq thus far. Also test microphone positions and IRs to see whether or not it's actually just a particular recording setup.

I usually use a linear EQ increase to 7.5 dB starting from 96 Hz to replicate what I expect as more realistic.

Reply by User123123123

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  • Registered: 16-09-2013
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Re: Is it just me or is Pianoteq's bass a little lacking?

I agree with you that compared to a real piano, some kind of substance is missing.

Here is what I think: I guess that is the problem with music produced by speakers in general. If you have your hands on a real instrument, the vibration of the whole instrument spreads into your body. This is missing if you play a VSTi.
I have the same feeling when I play an acoustic guitar VSTi.

If I let Pianoteq play some classical piece and compare the sound to a commercial recording, I think it matches pretty well. If I play Pianoteq live and try to imagine sitting at a real piano, there is this real phyiscal presence that is missing.

Making any sense?

Reply by lowendtheory

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Re: Is it just me or is Pianoteq's bass a little lacking?

User123123123 wrote:

...the vibration of the whole instrument spreads into your body.

Making any sense?

Now I understand why it might be the case. The sound might be correct with appropriate size speakers, however, with headphones that can bring the super low end, that interpretation is thrown off. See this page and click on the first track. Listen to the sub-contra notes, especially that C#, and notice the full bass coming from its lower harmonics.